Sunday, February 27, 2005

How Often Do You Find Yourself Saying: "I Wish I Had A Laptop Travel Accessory Kit"

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...




How Often Do You Find Yourself Saying: "I Wish I Had A Laptop Travel Accessory Kit"



Until I found this great laptop travel accessory kit, I was fumbling with many individual laptop travel accessories. I used zip-lock bags and twist-ties to keep everything straight. It looked more like I was carrying my lunch than all my laptop travel accessories.


Buying all the laptop travel components separately got somewhat expensive. I kept wondering, "why doesn't someone package all these things together in one handy travel case and sell them as a kit?"


Well someone finally has!


This laptop travel accessory kit has everything you need and it all fits into one small, handy, protective travel and storage case. No more zip-lock bags and twist ties for me!


Hi, I'm Pilot Paul. Welcome aboard. At Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories, we strive to find, review, and recommend outstanding travel accessories.


That's why I'm excited to review and recommend this laptop travel accessory kit -it's a great travel accessory and a great value.












Here are all the terrific things that come in this laptop travel accessory kit:




  • You eliminate wires with this wireless optical mouse. The transmitter/receiver unit plugs into your laptop's USB port. Note- If you don't want a wireless mouse, there is a model available with a USB cable for $10 less.


  • The other wires that you might need are enclosed in separate retractable storage cases. They include:


    8-ft. Ethernet cable


    7-ft. phone cable


    Comfortable soft-tip rubber earbuds with an in-flight stereo adapter. You can listen to music while you work.





  • My favorite part, a bright LED light. This lets you work with great, focused lighting and not disturb others.






The wireless mouse requires two AAA batteries. It will work with Macs and any Windows® 98 and up.


The travel/storage case is a mere 8" x 4 1/2" x 2". That will slip into any carry-on bag or laptop briefcase.


The entire unit weighs only one pound.


All these things together cost less than if you were to buy the pieces separately.


It comes with a 90-day warranty. If you're like me and you are a little rough on things, you can get two or three replacement guarantees for a very reasonable price. You likely couldn't get that for individually bought components. So that's a great value too.


A laptop travel accessory kit like this is hard to find. I've found a great merchant who sells these.


To get your laptop travel accessory kit, just click on the link below:




Sharper Image Executive Laptop Accessory Kit (SR282)









If you don't want the wireless mouse, here's the laptop travel accessory kit that's $10 less and has a mini optical mouse with a retractable USB cable.


This one also does not include the retractable phone cable that is in the other laptop travel accessory kit.











To purchase it, just click on the link below:


Executive Laptop Accessory Kit



Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

"Are You Searching For Discount Delsey Luggage® ?
Your Search Is Over!"

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...



"Are You Searching For Discount Delsey Luggage® ?
Your Search Is Over!"


In the market for cheap luggage? Buying discount Delsey luggage® is a much better investment than poor quality luggage that will not last.


Hi, I'm Pilot Paul. Welcome to Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories, a site that is committed to make your travel easier and smarter.


If first landed at this site on this page, there is a very good checklist for selecting excellent luggage on another page. You can find that by
clicking here for luggage checklist and reviews.




On that page, I give many criteria for selecting top quality luggage- well built luggage, which will serve you for a long time. Delsey luggage® fits those criteria. Finding discount Delsey luggage® makes for an even better value.


If you click on the links for any of the three online luggage merchants below, you'll find discount Delsey luggage® . They all carry a good selection of Delsey luggage® and all offer low price guarantees. You'll also find other things like free shipping (minimum order), free return shipping, and customer ratings on two of the sites.


These places are you best bet for finding discount Delsey luggage.



"What's So Special About Delsey Luggage® ?"


On that same
luggage checklist
page, I recommend the best four luggage brands. These are not the most expensive; rather they are the best value.


Your suitcase is your most important travel accessory and it makes sense to buy one that is built to excellent standards and designed for longevity.


A long warranty period is a good indication that the manufacturer believes in their product. Depending on the model, Delsey luggage carries either a 10-year or a lifetime warranty.


This lifetime warranty is one of the best in the industry.


There is only one company that surpasses this Delsey® lifetime warranty. That's Briggs and Riley luggage® . Their lifetime warranty even covers damage caused by airlines. To learn more about them,
click here on Briggs and Riley® .
That page has a discussion of Briggs and Riley luggage® .


If you want to compare the discount Delsey luggage® to the Briggs and Riley® , you can click on any of the three merchant links below. They each carry Delsey® and Briggs® . You can compare each specific model that you are interested in on their sites.


Now, back to why Delsey luggage® is so good...




Delsey® is the largest luggage company in Europe and the second largest worldwide.


Delsey's® stated aim is to ensure that their luggage is beyond reproach, easy to carry, secure, elegant, and most importantly, fully protects your personal items.


I know many crewmembers that love their Delsey luggage® .
They have complete product loyalty- they intend to only use Delsey luggage® for the rest of their careers.


Delsey® has a line of lightweight luggage. Often sturdy wheeled suitcases are somewhat heavy, but these were made with your ease of traveling light in mind.


Many of the Delsey® suitcases have built-in TSA locks. With these, you can lock your bag, but the TSA can still unlock them with their special keys.


All Delsey luggage® is made to withstand the rigors of travel. Many models have heavy ballistic nylon that is Teflon treated.


The impact resistant frames in some models have a "bounce back" capability.


Many Delsey® bags have waterproof pockets, so you can keep wet clothing separate from the rest of you clothes. That's very helpful if you exercised or swam before you left your hotel.


Delsey luggage® features large, self-repairing zippers. These are very important. Self-repairing zippers is one thing that separates the well-made luggage from the rest. Since people tend to over-stuff their suitcases (especially if they did some extra shopping), the zipper takes the strain of trying to close and hold the suitcase together.


These self-repairing zippers will do that job better than any others will. A standard zipper will fail under that strain. If your suitcase zipper breaks as you are finishing packing and just hurrying to catch a plane, you suddenly have a big problem.


There you are, it's time to go and your suitcase zipper is broken. Everything is falling out and you don't have the time or capability to fix or replace it.


Whatever you buy, make sure that it has a large, self-repairing zipper.


I was shocked to see a $1500 Louis Vuitton® wheeled suitcase with a very cheap zipper. Comparable sized Delsey luggage® runs between $100 and $200 and will last much longer than the Louis Vuitton® .


Delsey luggage® is also designed with extra reinforcements to prevent wear at stress points.

"So Where Can I Find Discount Delsey Luggage® ?"


Below are the three online luggage merchants that can give you the best selection and prices of discount Delsey luggage® .


They typically discount Delsey luggage® 50%-60%.


They are:




1. Ebags. They offer Free Returns and 110% Price Guarantee. They also have a great search feature that gives you their top 10 bestsellers by lifestyle. The categories are:




1. Casual Travel



2. Family Vacations

3. Frequent Flyers

4. International Trips

5. Women Travelers




You can also search by material. They also have a fantastic unbiased customer-rating database. Customers give their feedback and testimonials to help you make an informed buying decision. Customers rate the luggage they bought based on: appearance, durability, organization, price/value and overall.





To see some Briggs and Riley luggage at eBags, click on:




Luggage at eBags.com






2. Irv's Luggage Warehouse. Irv's features a Lowest Price Guarantee, Hassle-free Returns, and Free Shipping (minimum purchase required). They also have coupons, a best deals area, corporate sales, and closeouts. To visit Irv's click on:




Irv's Luggage Warehouse











I've also found a coupon that you can use at Irv's. If you click on the link below, it will have the coupon information near the top of the page. This will give you super discount Delsey luggage!




It will also show you their current best deals.




Irv's Luggage Warehouse






3. Luggage Online. They offer a Low-price Guarantee, Free Shipping (minimum purchase required), and Free Returns within 150 days. They also have customer reviews of their products. To check out the savings there, click on:







Luggage Online


Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Pilot Luggage -
"What Kind Is It That They All Seem To Use?"
" Where Can I Get Some Too?"

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...



Pilot Luggage -
"What Kind Is It That They All Seem To Use?"
" Where Can I Get Some Too?"


pilot luggage
For some reason, finding the most popular pilot luggage is a mystery to most travelers. Wingman luggage is the most popular type of pilot crew luggage at my airline. However, unless you are an "insider", you probably don't know anything about it or where to you can find some.


You may have noticed pilots with this kind of luggage, but never see it in stores. Their crew luggage is also difficult to find online. The link at the bottom of this page will take you to a place selling this popular wingman luggage. Not only do they have it, but they also have excellent prices - lower than many competitors do. In fact, this merchant has a "best price guarantee".


While the wingman crew luggage isn't as attractive as many bags, it is popular with pilots because it is so durable. It's strictly a utility bag, but it's a great travel accessory.


Wingman luggage is to pilots that pick-up trucks are to construction workers- they might not be pretty, but they haul everything and get the job done.


Here's how:




  • The eight outside pockets help make items organized and accessible.




  • I love the smooth and fast rolling provided by the inline skate wheels. These make a huge difference when I'm rushing through the terminal. The handle on the wingman pilot luggage is just the right length and is very comfortable in your hand.




  • The wingman pilot luggage is also very rugged because of it's material. This crew luggage is made from DuPont 1450 ballistic nylon.




  • The zipper is also very good quality. It's large and self-repairing. People tend to over-stuff their luggage and this strong, large zipper can handle the tough task of closing a bag that's too full.




  • The metal J-hook is solid and strong. With it, you can carry a heavy load. The flight case that I hook onto mine weighs about 45 pounds. It's no problem with this hook.




If you want to see my checklist for buying luggage, click
here for luggage reviews.




If you read that, you'll discover that the wingman pilot luggage has most of the good features listed in that review.

The Best Place To Get Some Wingman Pilot Luggage


I recommend one merchant for purchasing the wingman pilot luggage. They have a "best price guarantee".


Their price is less that similar competitor's prices. One thing that isn't initially obvious on their site is that you can get the wingman pilot luggage in three sizes. After you click on the link below, you can see the prices of the other sizes by clicking on the drop down arrow next to "options".


Click on the link below to shop for wingman crew luggage:


Wingman Rolling Bag










Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Briggs and Riley Luggage® Is Second To None

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...




Are you familiar with Briggs and Riley luggage ® ?




Their luggage is some of the best I've ever seen.


Each of their bags includes unique features designed to help you pack better.


Their bags are very well made, using excellent materials and workmanship.

In addition to making some of the best luggage available, the Briggs and Riley luggage® company stands behind their products.


As someone who travels almost constantly, I've never seen a travel accessory guarantee as good as what Briggs and Riley® provides.


Briggs and Riley® will even guarantee their luggage against damage caused by traveling. Most luggage takes hard abuse.


As airline pilots, We joke about the automated baggage sorting machines as the devices that take your luggage and bang and tear luggage intentionally.


Before they had these automated baggage smashers, the manual version was a gorilla at the end of the conveyor belt hitting each bag with a sledgehammer after it fell six feet to the floor.


In general, I've observed the baggage handlers doing a careful job at my airline. The problem is that there are so many bags. They must first go through TSA screening, then the airline's sorting, and then they are delivered to the airplanes. There are many opportunities for luggage to become damaged.




That's why it's important to purchase good quality, durable luggage. That way it will last longer and the cost per use will be less than if you had bought less expensive, flimsy luggage.


But Briggs and Riley luggage ® sets a completely new standard. Briggs and Riley luggage ® is built very well and the warranty will even cover damage caused buy airlines!


Other good luggage companies have lengthy warranty periods, but they all exclude damage. You have to deal with the airlines for that of take care of it on your own.


But the Briggs and Riley luggage ® "Simple as That" lifetime warranty states that if the bag is ever damaged (even if by the airlines), Briggs and Riley® will fix it free of charge: Simple as that.


Here's what eBags, one of the luggage merchants that I recommend says about Briggs and Riley ® on their website:




Briggs & Riley was founded in 1993 with a simple mission: To build a lifelong relationship with the consumer by creating for them any and all of their travelware needs.


Wherever you're going, whatever you're packing, Briggs & Riley has a travel solution. Each bag and accessory includes unique features and details designed to help you pack smarter. The "Simple as That" lifetime warranty offered on every Briggs & Riley bag can't be beat. If your luggage is ever damaged (even if damaged by the airlines), Briggs will fix it, free of charge...simple as that.




No other company offers this. So why would you want to carry anything else?









When I wear out my present suitcase, a Briggs and Riley® one is next. That should be the last one I ever have to buy.

Pilot Paul's Picks of Places To Buy Briggs and Riley Luggage®


I've found three online merchants who have discount Briggs and Riley luggage® .





They are:



1. Ebags. They offer Free Returns and 110% Price Guarantee. They also have a great search feature that gives you their top 10 bestsellers by lifestyle. The categories are:



1. Casual Travel

2. Family Vacations

3. Frequent Flyers

4. International Trips

5. Women Travelers



You can also search by material. They also have a fantastic unbiased customer-rating database. Customers give their feedback and testimonials to help you make an informed buying decision. Customers rate the luggage they bought based on: appearance, durability, organization, price/value and overall.





To see some Briggs and Riley luggage at eBags, click on:



Luggage at eBags.com





2. Irv's Luggage Warehouse. Irv's features a Lowest Price Guarantee, Hassle-free Returns, and Free Shipping (minimum purchase required). They also have coupons, a best deals area, corporate sales, and closeouts. To visit Irv's click on:



Irv's Luggage Warehouse







I've also found a coupon that you can use at Irv's. If you click on the link below, it will have the coupon information near the top of the page.



It will also show you their current best deals.



Irv's Luggage Warehouse





3. Luggage Online. They offer a Low-price Guarantee, Free Shipping (minimum purchase required), and Free Returns within 150 days. They also have customer reviews of their products. To check out the savings there, click on:




Luggage Online












If you are still thinking about what you want in a new suitcase, you can click on the link below to see my luggage ratings article.


Once you read that, you'll likely be more convinced that Briggs and Riley luggage is truly an excellent product and value.



Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Why Travelpro Luggage® Is Pulled Around The World By Airline Crew Members

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...




Why Travelpro Luggage® Is Pulled Around The World By Airline Crew Members


Take a look around the airport the next time you travel. You'll see Travelpro Luggage® used by most Pilots and Flight Attendants.


Hi, I'm Pilot Paul. I've been a Captain at a major U.S. airline for fourteen years. I've been traveling professionally for well over two decades. I have lots of experience with luggage and have been a user of Travelpro luggage® products since they first came out.


My airline provides Travel pro luggage® to all our flight attendants.


I bought one of Travelpro's ® very first models of wheeled suitcases. It was truly a great new product. The Travelpro ® wheeled luggage meant the end of my back pain from carrying around a heavy suitcase and flight kit bag.


I have a bad back, and if it wasn't for Travelpro ® , I might have had to find a new career. Travelpro® pioneered the wheeled suitcase market and have continued to improve and innovate. When they first came out, these suitcases didn't last as long as they do now. I am very hard on my luggage, and I got two full years of nearly constant use out of my first Travelpro ® suitcase. It finally wore out, but that was from my habitual over-packing which strained the zipper.


The newer models of Travelpro luggage ® will last much longer than that original one did. One of the great things about travelpro is that they have responded to the traveler's feedback and needs and continually improved their products. That's a big reason why they boast over 425,000 flight crewmembers use Travel pro luggage ® .


The newer models of Travelpro luggage® have a minimum of three year warranties, and some models have limited lifetime warranties.


Fro the average traveler, this translates to many, many years of service.


While my first wheeled Travelpro ® suitcase wore out after two years, I'm still regularly using a wonderful carry-on tote made by them that I've had for nine years.


Here's what eBags,one of the largest online retailers of discount Travelpro luggage ® says about them on their site:


"With each passing year, Travelpro continues to satisfy the ever-changing needs of the traveling public. Travelpro's reputation is built on the most contemporary designs, light-weight materials, nearly indestructible frame construction, and durable, top quality components. More than 425,000 flight crew members worldwide put Travelpro products to the test, day in and day out. Travelpro...Pilot designed, flight crew tested."







If you'd like to read my luggage buying checklist and review,
click here for Pilot Paul's luggage checklist.



In that luggage buying checklist, I point out one of the best features I've ever seen on any wheeled suitcase. That is Travelpro's Platinum series ® handle that adjusts to the pulling angle. This makes for less stress on your body and greater mobility. It really makes a difference in pulling a heavy load.



The Travelpro platinum series® is the line with the limited lifetime warranty.



"Are You Looking For Discount Travelpro Luggage® ?"


I've found three online merchants who have discount Travelpro luggage® .


They are:


1. Ebags. They offer Free Returns and 110% Price Guarantee. They also have a great search feature that gives you their top 10 bestsellers by lifestyle. The categories are:


1. Casual Travel

2. Family Vacations

3. Frequent Flyers

4. International Trips

5. Women Travelers


You can also search by material. They also have a fantastic unbiased customer-rating database. Customers give their feedback and testimonials to help you make an informed buying decision. Customers rate the luggage they bought based on: appearance, durability, organization, price/value and overall.


To see some Travelpro luggage at eBags,


Luggage at eBags.com






2. Irv's Luggage Warehouse. Irv's features a Lowest Price Guarantee, Hassle-free Returns, and Free Shipping (minimum purchase required). They also have coupons, a best deals area, corporate sales, and closeouts.


Irv's Luggage Warehouse





I've also found a coupon that you can use at Irv's. If you click on the link below, it will have the coupon information near the top of the page.


It will also show you their current best deals.


Irv's Luggage Warehouse





3. Luggage Online. They offer a Low-price Guarantee, Free Shipping (minimum purchase required), and Free Returns within 150 days. They also have customer reviews of their products.






Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, February 04, 2005

Proven Techniques Help You Find Cheap Cruises

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...





Proven Techniques Help You Find Cheap Cruises




Cheap cruises can be some of the best vacations that you will ever take.


My wife is a master of finding great cruise deals. They've been some our most enjoyable vacations!


She watches for cruise discounts like a trader watches the stock market. This has taught her a few secrets about the cheap cruise market and I will reveal them here.


She's found that cruise prices tend to decrease as the departure date approaches. The cruise companies are trying to fill their ships since their fixed costs are the same regardless of how full the ship is. They hit a bottom price around two months before the cruise date.


This price is usually the best cruise deal that you can find. But there are others watching for cheap cruises too. When the cruise discount hits this bottom price, many people quickly reserve their cabins. In a matter of days, these great cruise discounts are snapped up and the ship is full.



For example, the best cheap cruise we ever went on was a seven-day Caribbean cruise. It was on an excellent cruise line for $319 per person. That was for a nice outside cabin and included everything. There were no additional port taxes or fees. This was such a great cruise deal that the grandparents came along too. It was a fantastic vacation and didn't break our budget.



That cheap cruise was such a success that my wife planned a family reunion Alaska Cruise the following year.


Based on her cheap cruise market knowledge, she sent 24 of us on terrific Alaska adventure. Cruises are a great way to have a reunion. There is such a variety of activities available that everyone can have a great time no matter what interests them.


On this was a great cheap cruise, but we could have gotten even a better discount. Why?


Because some of the relatives wanted to know our exact travel dates sooner than the two-month point of greatest discounts.


This caused us to book the cruise three months before the ship sailed. While we did receive a good discount on this cruise, it was frustrating to see the price drop $100 per person three more times. Again, it did this until about two months before the date.


The cruise line did help us out a little with this. When she saw the cruise discount get even better after we booked, she called and asked for a better deal on this cruise. They did give some cabin upgrades and some onboard credit. That was fair. They may have done this because we had 24 people. I cannot say for sure, but like with anything else, you will never know unless you ask.


Even though this was not the ultimate cheap cruise, we still had a wonderful time for a bargain price.


Finding the best cheap cruise is somewhat of an art. If you use my wife's cheap cruise finding techniques, you'll likely succeed.






At Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories, we want you to have the best travel experience while still getting the best value.


With that in mind, I have found more tips on finding a cheap cruise for you...

Proven Advice To Find Cheap Cruises And Take A Great Vacation For A Low Price -- By An Expert


I found this great article that further explains ways to find cheap cruises. It is reprinted with permission:

Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute

by: Lori Wilkerson



Being a spur of the moment person has its advantages. It means you can “seize the day” and run with it, enjoying an opportunity when it comes your way. So the next time you’ve lined up your vacation time and decided you’re just going to drive to the nearest lake or maybe visit some relatives, keep an open mind and check in on the great online cruise deals that show up as you get closer to your vacation dates.

You may discover that as your vacation rolls around the deals are getting better and better, and you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the great offers out there. At first glance you may tell yourself that even with the reduced cost of a cruise you’re still paying more to go on a cruise than you are to drive to a popular lake resort of beachfront rental property, but the discounts on last minute cruises are great bargains because they’re all inclusive!


All-inclusive Means Savings on Entertainment and Meals

A cruise includes your entire trip, the accommodations, all of your meals (and the meals onboard ship are fantastic!), and all of the ship’s entertainment, from dancing to Vegas style shows. Compare that to your vacation and you’ll discover that by the time you add up your room, transportation, meals and entertainment expenses, the cruise deals that are available at the last minute just don’t compare to your routine vacation plans – the cruises are much better!

Think about the total relaxation factor – no trying to find a good restaurant or wondering if there’s anything decent in the way of entertainment. On a cruise vacation, everything’s right there, every night. Your vacation is filled with every kind of entertainment, relaxation and fine dining imaginable even before you get to your ports of call!

Some of the amenities found on the typical cruise ship – and available with last-minute cruise deals – include:


  • Fine & casual dining
  • 24-hour room service
  • Swimming pool
  • Fitness centers & spa facilities
  • Day spa and beauty salon
  • A variety of lounges and stages with world-class entertainment
  • Casinos
  • Duty-free gift shops



Is there a vacation anywhere that provides all of this in one location, all within walking distance, with gorgeous vistas of water and moonlight thrown in?

Finding Sizzling Hot Cruise Deals is Easy

How do you find fantastic cruise deals? The best way is to be flexible – keep in mind that there are several reasons that last minute berths open up on cruise ships. Most commonly, cruise ships simply don’t fill every one of their rooms on most cruises, and they understand that it makes more sense to offer these spaces at a discount than it does to leave these rooms empty. The level of service and amenities are exactly the same as that for passengers paying full price!

There are also sometimes last minute cancellations for whatever reason, and the cruise company will try to fill these rooms as well. After all, they had anticipated having these sales and when a cancellation comes through at the last minute, they will want to fill that spot.

Tips for Getting the Best Cruise Deals

You can compound your cruise savings by booking last minute deals during off-season times when the rates are lower to begin with or cruising to destinations that you find intriguing but have unusual departure dates. A few general guidelines for finding great last minute cruise deals are:


  • Start watching about two months before your vacation, and check back often – special discounts are snapped up quickly.
  • Be flexible – if you can shift your travel dates by a few days one way or the other you may be able to save even more.
  • Be adventurous – if you see a fabulous deal on an exotic cruise to someplace you’ve never thought of but that sounds intriguing – go for it! This is the time to use the savings to invest in broadening your horizons.
  • Online is the best and quickest way to stay informed – the Internet constantly updates information on cruise deals as cruise lines post available openings.
  • Know what you’re looking for – there are so many kinds of cruises now available with different themes that it can be confusing. If you and your husband are going, don’t bother looking at singles cruises – the savings isn’t worth being surrounded by singles. But a cruise geared toward honeymooners might put a bit of spark back in your marriage, especially if you’re looking for an anniversary getaway!

Theme Cruises are the New Trend in Packaged Cruise Deals

You can find some great savings on theme cruises, a new trend for people with special interests or hobbies. Because these cruises cater to very specific tastes, the price of open spots can drop more quickly when they are discounted because they realize the chances of filling the spots may not be as high as for a general cruise.

So if you’re interested in a last minute cruise and also happen to be a food and wine connoisseur, you may be able to find a drastically discounted price on a Wine Tasting or Chef’s Taste of Cultures cruise, combining two interests and saving money at the same time.


There are also cruises that correspond with times of the year, such as foliage cruises or whale watching cruises that may offer special savings if they have cancellations since these are only offered during small windows in time. If you happen to hit one of these, you can expect some really amazing discounts on unique, once-in-a-lifetime cruise opportunities.

Trade Up to a Cruise for a Lifetime of Memories

So when that staid vacation is planned and you’ve already blocked out your vacation days at the office, don’t be afraid to periodically check out the last minute cruise deals that can be found at rock bottom prices if you book just a few weeks in advance. Throw caution to the winds and pass on the lakeside fishing trip in favor of an unforgettable cruise to the Bahamas – with last minute bargains and fabulous all-inclusive packages you can turn that ho-hum trip into truly memorable one!





About The Author



Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about last minute cruise, cruise discounts, and cruise deals. Lori once led a Conga line to the tune, "Hot, Hot, Hot," throughout an entire cruise ship sailing to Nassau. More Cruise articles at can be found at www.discount-cruise.biz.

alpinesprings@dccnet.com












Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How Often Do You Find Yourself Saying: "I Wish I Knew How To Find The Best Travel Discounts"

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...




How Often Do You Find Yourself Saying: "I Wish I Knew How To Find The Best Travel Discounts"



Travel discounts. Until recently, discount travel was a special privilege only available to travel industry employees. For years, travel agents, airline employees, and other travel related personnel enjoyed tremendous travel deals.


But things are different now. The Internet has changed the world. That, combined with a depressed and highly competitive travel industry has made discount travel available to anyone with basic online skills and access.


Now the problem is that there is so much discount travel available, that it is hard to find the absolute best travel deals. Are all those travel discounts offered really as good as they seem?


Hi, welcome to Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories. I bring you years of travel experience as well a wealth of personal travel knowledge. I have been fortunate to go to many wonderful destinations as part of my job.


My family has been able to enjoy discounted travel for many years and we have made the most of that opportunity.


My hope is that what you read here will save you:

    Time
    Money
    Unnecessary Aggravation



My desire throughout this site is to help make you a relaxed, seasoned, savvy, well-informed, well-equipped traveler. This should allow you to have the best travel experience possible. We also strive to recommend things that will give you the greatest value.

Travel Informed + Travel Well Equipped = Travel Wisely and Relaxed




With that in mind, I am compiling as many great travel discounts that I can find. These travel deals are listed in the links below. Sometimes they will be direct links to great travel deals, other times, it will be tools and information to help you find the best travel discounts for yourself.


Keep checking back because the list will be growing.


If you like, you can sign up for our
Free Newsletter
to help you keep up to date on this and other great travel information.








Don't Wait Another Moment! Save Money Now! Take Advantage Of These Travel Discounts!








To stay at luxury resorts at discount prices,












To learn how to find the best cruise discounts,







Copyright 2005 Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.




Thursday, February 03, 2005

Proven Tips And Tactics To Protect Your Credit Card While You Travel

Welcome To Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories Blog. For All The Real Good Stuff...



Proven Tips And Tactics To Protect Your Credit Card While You Travel


It's almost impossible to travel without a credit card. Most thieves know this. This makes you particularly vulnerable to fraud and theft while traveling. This information can help protect you.


Vigilance and some forethought can protect you from credit card fraud schemes.


Thieves know that if they make purchases similar to a traveler, they can use your card number for quite a while undetected. This is especially true if they acquire just your card number while you retain the card.

Travel Tips To Protect You


1. Make Copies. Before you go on your trip, make copies of your credit cards, passport, tickets, and any other important documents. Copy both sides if there is pertinent information on the back. For example, most cards have the phone numbers to report loss of theft on the back. If you lose the card, the number you need was lost with it.


If your card is lost or stolen and you don't have a copy of the number, you'll spend lots of aggravating time on the phone trying to straighten things out. This can get very expensive if you are on an international trip. This is not an enjoyable part of travel.


Keep these copies separate from the originals. While some people recommend keeping these in your luggage, I don't. Someone could find them, copy them and return them without you ever knowing it.


It's also a good idea to blacken out some of the pertinent information on the copies. Blacken your name and the expiration date. Remember the expiration date or record it separately.


2. Have Two Different Credit Cards With You. If your wallet is stolen, the more cards you had, the more you must deal with. If your wallet is stolen, your liability is $50 for each card. Why carry ten if two will do?


The reason that you want more than one credit card with you is if there is a problem with the only one that you have, you're stuck.


I know this from experience.


I was checking into a hotel for a week long ski trip using my only credit card. It didn't go through. This is how I first found out that I was the victim of identity theft. As a precaution, my card company had deactivated the card. I'm glad that they did, but I was stuck with high expenses, not much cash and no backup. It was a weekend, so I had to wait a few days before they could get me a replacement card.


This is especially complicated if your travel agenda involves many different destinations. You'll have to settle the bills when you leave each hotel and you could misconnect with the FedEx delivery of your replacement credit cards.


As a security measure, some card companies automatically cut off cards if they are used more than six times a day. Another automatic cutoff is if they are suddenly being used in a foreign country. This is a great security measure to stop credit card fraud, but if you're using it on your "dream vacation", this cutoff could be a problem.


It's best to notify your credit card company that you will be traveling overseas.


3. Have Different Credit Cards Than Your Spouse. My parents learned this the hard way. They were on an extended trip and my father's wallet was stolen.


They had one of those services where you could make one call to report the credit card theft. The service then took care of notifying all the credit card companies. They were pleased with the simplicity that this provided. They thought that they everything was taken care of and that their problems were over. My mother still had her purse and credit cards. They were surprised at dinner that night because my mother's credit card was also deactivated. Since they had all their credit cards in joint accounts, all hers were also reported as stolen and deactivated by the service.

4. Make Sure You Have a Four Digit (Not Six) PIN Number. Most foreign ATMs are set up for four digit and not six digit PINs.


ATMs are the best way to exchange money while traveling. Most will take credit cards. You can withdraw funds in the foreign currency. Many credit card companies do not charge a fee for this and you get a better exchange rate than if you used traveler's checks or a currency exchange.




This is the best way to get money in foreign countries. As airline crewmembers, this is the only way we do it. Gone are the days of waiting in line at the hotel or bank, paying a fee and getting a poor exchange rate.


A few years ago, my wife and I took a cruise in Europe. This was before much of Europe went to the single currency (EURO). We went to a different country almost every day.


The ship had a currency exchange office. I watched in amazement as people stood in long lines each morning to exchange their money. They paid a service fee plus got a lousy exchange rate. Then they would stand in the line again that night exchanging back what they didn't spend. More fees and poor rate.


My wife and I simply used our credit card in any of the many ATMs we found. No fees. Good rate.


5. Don't Give Out Your Credit Number On The Phone. Here's a common credit card fraud scheme: you arrive late and tired and check into your hotel. After you're settled in and going to bed, your phone rings. The caller identifies himself as someone form the front desk. There is a problem with your credit card. They need you to confirm your credit number and expiration date. Don't give it to them.


Tell them that you will come down later and give it to them in person.


Often credit card thieves lurk in the hotel lobbies trying to get names and room numbers of people checking-in. If your luggage has visible identification tags, your name is very easy to acquire. If you have your address on the luggage tags, you are also telling the world that you are not home at that address.


Think about what is usually said aloud when you check into a hotel. Your name, and often your room number. It is difficult to avoid your name being said aloud during check-in, but your room number should be kept secret.


If the front desk staff mentions it aloud, to you or the bellman, ask for a different room and explain why.









I hope that this information will help ensure a great trip for you.


At Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories, our desire is to help make you a relaxed, seasoned, savvy, well-informed, well-equipped traveler. This should allow you to have the best travel experience possible.


Travel Informed + Travel Well Equipped = Travel Wisely and Relaxed




















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